Zimmerman Hires Olson's Ryan Linder to Run Marketing

Will Partner with Another Senior Hire, Jeff McLelland, on New Business Efforts

Omnicom Group's Zimmerman Advertising has filled the CMO post left vacant by Michael Goldberg's recent defection to Porter Novelli. It has hired as a replacement in Ryan Linder, who until recently was VP-marketing director at Minneapolis-based independent shop Olson.

Ryan Linder

Speaking to Ad Age this week, Mr. Linder said he "wasn't in the market for a new gig" but after "an adrenaline-filled 45 minute conversation" with the agency's CEO Jordan Zimmerman, he was convinced to take an interview and give the South Florida agency a shot, which ultimately led to the job.

Mr. Linder said he gives "props" to his predecessor Mr. Goldberg for helping grow the agency from a regional force in Florida to a national player. "Now more than ever clients realize that to be a strong agency, you don't need to be on Madison Avenue," he said. "Geographic boundaries are not limitations."

In his new post, Mr. Linder will partner with another recent senior hire, Jeff McLelland, who was a marketing consultant and is the former CEO of Cliff Freeman & Partners, the onetime adland gem that is now shuttered. The duo will work business development at Zimmerman, which has historically focused on sectors such as retail, hospitality, automotive and sports.

He officially begins in his new role on December 12th, and hopes to move to Florida officially by the end of January.